_How Sir Launcelot came to Pelles, and of the Sangreal, and of Elaine,
king Pelles’ daughter._
Sir, said Launcelot, wit you well my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. And
my name is, said the king, Pelles, king of the foreign country, and
cousin nigh unto Joseph of Arimathie. And then either of them made much
of other, and so they went into the castle to take their repast. And
anon there came in a dove at a window, and in her mouth there seemed a
little censer of gold. And therewithal there was such a savour as all
the spicery of the world had been there. And forthwithal there was upon
the table all manner of meats and drinks that they could think upon. So
came in a damsel passing fair and young, and she bare a vessel of gold
betwixt her hands, and thereto the king kneeled devoutly, and said his
prayers, and so did all that were there. Then said Sir Launcelot, What
may this mean? This is, said the king, the richest thing that any man
hath living. And when this thing goeth about, the Round Table shall be
broken. And wit thou well, said the king, this is the holy Sancgreal
that ye have here seen. So the king and Sir Launcelot led their life
the most part of that day. And fain would king Pelles have found the
mean to have had Sir Launcelot to love his daughter fair Elaine, and
for this intent: the king knew well that Sir Launcelot should have a
child by his daughter, the which should be named Sir Galahad, the good
knight, by whom all the foreign country should be brought out of
danger, and by him the holy Graale should be achieved. Then came forth
a lady that hight dame Brisen, and she said unto the king, Sir, wit ye
well, Sir Launcelot loveth no lady in the world but all only queen
Guenever, and therefore work ye by counsel, and I shall make him to see
your daughter Elaine, and he shall not wit but that he seeth queen
Guenever. Oh, fair lady, dame Brisen, said the king, hope ye to bring
this about? Sir, said she, upon pain of my life let me deal. For this
Brisen was one of the greatest enchantresses that was that time in the
world living.
Then anon by dame Brisen’s wit she made one to come to Sir Launcelot
that he knew well. And this man brought him a ring from queen Guenever
like as it had come from her, and such one as she was wont for the most
part to wear. And when Sir Launcelot saw that token, wit ye well he was
never so fain. Where is my lady? said Sir Launcelot. She is in the
castle of Case, said the messager, but five mile hence. Then Sir
Launcelot thought to be there the same night. And then this Brisen, by
the commandment of king Pelles, let send Elaine to this castle with
twenty-five knights unto the castle of Case. Then Sir Launcelot rode
unto that castle, and there anon he was received worshipfully with such
people to his seeming as were about queen Guenever. So when Sir
Launcelot was alight, then dame Brisen brought him a cup full of wine,
and as soon as he had drank that wine he was so assotted that he wend
that maiden Elaine had been queen Guenever. Wit ye well that Sir
Launcelot was glad, and so was that lady Elaine, for well she knew that
of them should be born Sir Galahad, that should prove the best knight
of the world. And then Sir Launcelot remembered him, and he arose up
and went to the window.